On May 22, 2025, students at White River High School got an inside look at the world of user experience (UX) design through a hands-on IGNITE Workshop led by Volunteers from Microsoft. Students in grades 9–12 participated in a design challenge guided by Smriti Singh, Namrata Singh, and Viv Liao, who brought a powerful blend of professional expertise and personal perspective to the event.
The session centered on collaborative problem-solving—a key element of UX work. With support from the Volunteers, students brainstormed creative solutions to everyday issues and learned how design thinking applies far beyond software. Educator Molly Schelbert noted how meaningful it was for students to hear real-world stories and see how creativity and technology intersect in UX careers.
Students came to the panel discussion with thoughtful questions, asking about the Panelists’ career paths, challenges they’ve faced, and even their hobbies outside of work. They were especially curious about the Panelists’ views on AI and how their education shaped their journeys. Panelists responded with honesty and warmth, sharing that career paths aren’t always linear, and that’s okay.
The Panelists emphasized key takeaways: trust your interests, take chances on internships and new experiences, and don’t be afraid to switch paths if your passions shift. They also highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and building a life that includes time for health and joy outside of work.
With a supportive environment and engaging dialogue, the event gave students a clearer sense of how UX design fits into the world of tech, and how their unique voices and ideas belong there.
“It was very cool seeing women in male-dominated fields. I liked learning how these jobs work.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event made me feel more connected to STEM and more confident in CS. I feel inspired by meeting professionals in the field. I absolutely loved talking with each of the volunteers. Thank you so, so much for this information and event!”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It helped build a sense of community and a network to ask questions. It also helped build my confidence in STEM. My favorite was their opinion and views on AI. The volunteers are amazing.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to learn more about STEM and the jobs that come with it. I also learned that many more girls like STEM, which inspires me to speak more about it. I learned that AI can be useful! I also found that working in tech has lots of great job opportunities. Thank you so much!”
9th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
90%
INTERESTED IN STEM
83%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
78%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
78%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“It inspired me to look into more careers with UX and other STEM areas.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was very insightful, with lots of info and great people to talk to.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“This inspired me to follow my hobbies and maybe get a job from them.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to pursue a career in STEM and be creative. They also helped answer important questions I had about working in STEM. Thank you! My favorite thing was learning about the Microsoft environment and career journey.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I like how they were honest and very engaging with everyone. They also spoke on their mistakes and how they overcame them. I liked learning what to expect when coming into a job that works with tech.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It showed me that creativity has a place in STEM, and it’s not just tech. The experiences within one field were interesting, and the volunteers were awesome!” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Smriti Singh
- Namrata Singh
- Viv Liao
- Molly Schelbert
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at igniteworldwide.org.